Guildhouse, Belgrave Road SW1

17 April 1941

By Kelly Rakerd

At around 12.05am on 17 April 1941 a parachute mine hit and destroyed 75 Eccleston Square SW1. The adjoining Guildhouse on Belgrave Road was severely damaged. The Guildhouse, built in 1848 as the Eccleston Square Congregational Church and converted into an ecumenical centre in 1921, was being used as a refugee and homeless reception post.

Shrapnel from the mine's explosion also hit several buildings in the surrounding area. One rescue team immediately responded from Hammersmith and police requested a second team twenty minutes later. Several ambulances were sent out: two at 1am, one at 1.26am and a final ambulance arrived at 3.20am. People were reported trapped within the wreckage but the authorities were unsure of the number.

Belgrave Road, Eccleston Square and Warwick Way were closed to traffic at around 2am. Belgrave Road was piled with debris and what remained of the Guildhouse (its facade and classical portico) was deemed unstable. It would be several hours before the streets were able to reopen.

Another light rescue party was requested at 2.59am to help with the recovery process. All rescue parties remained on site until 6.45am. The ARP requested a mortuary van to attend the scene at around 6.50am.

At 8.05am a message requested relief for the rescue team from Hammersmith (Lime Grove). They were allowed to leave. Rescue party number 15 (from Endell Park Depot in Hammersmith) was sent to the Savoy and Adelphi Depot. One other team remained on site to assist police.

Moments later the police found a body in the rubble and also requested morturary vans. At this point it began to rain heavily and recovery efforts stalled. A further message reported water pouring through the wreckage and requested ropes and lamps to assist with the recovery of survivors and bodies.

Over the next few hours three more bodies were found. During the rescue workers also spotted people on the tower of the Guildhouse. Workers were sent to find escape ladders to get these survivors down. They had been alone in the ruined building for over 16 hours. After they were helped to safety they were immediately taken to hospital.

Recovery efforts continued for several days. On 3 May rescue parties at the site left a fire burning. The building again burst into flames. The police responded quickly and a fire engine was sent to the Guildhouse and extinguished the fire swiftly. No one was reported harmed.

City of Westminster ARP reports later confirmed a final total of five people killed in the Guildhouse incident.

The Guildhouse site was redeveloped in 1958. Today it houses government and charity offices at 11 Belgrave Road.

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